Good Afternoon West Valley Senior Families,
The abrupt closure of the school year was both a shock and heartbreaking for everyone, but none more so than to the families of Seniors. This is not the way anyone would have chosen to finish their High School career.
West Valley is much more than a school, it’s a strong community and as such, we empathize with everything you and your student are experiencing.
We know the importance of a traditional graduation ceremony and we fully intend on holding one. It is our intent to hold graduation, as planned on June 7th at the First Interstate Center for Performing Arts. With that said, I also realize that this decision is out of our hands and it will hinge on upcoming decisions by Gov. Inslee. As a back-up, we have secured the venue for August 29th. In determining this date, we considered many factors, including availability of the venue, allowing as much time as possible for restrictions to be loosened and college start dates. I realize that no date will work for everyone and hope that for those who wish to attend, they will be able. For those who can’t, we will be working on ways to stream the event. IF government regulations prohibit the August 29th date, we are considering other possibilities including connecting graduation with the 2020 West Valley Homecoming (weekend of October 9th).
In the meantime, as a way to honor our Seniors, we have ordered WVHS Class of 2020 yard signs that will be delivered as soon as they arrive. Please check your address listed in Skyward. IF your address is incorrect and/or needs to be updated, please call the school and let us know. Our staff is excited to deliver these signs and we want to make sure they get to the correct locations.
I know there has been a lot on angst around grades, credits and such. Last week the State Board of Education released their emergency rules and in doing so gave school districts the ability to apply for credit waivers for the class of 2020. Waivers must be granted on an individual, case by case basis. Students/families wishing to have a graduation credit waived, will need to work with the students’ counselor through the process. The West Valley School District has created guidance regarding grading options. Students will be strongly encouraged to work with their teachers to earn a letter grade in each class. We strongly believe that by earning a letter grade, each and every student will have all future opportunities available to them. Due to unforeseen circumstances, on a case by case basis, students may elect to take the class for either a Pass grade or No Credit. Although these may be options, we do not fully know the ramifications of doing so and worry that it may have a negative effect on a students future goals.
Beginning Monday, April 20th at 8:00am, ALL WVHS classes will be live through the Google Classroom format. Students will be encouraged to complete work assigned to improve their grades. Students will also have the opportunity to submit any late/missing work that may improve their grade. Through this process, we are dedicated to the belief that NO STUDENT’S GRADE WILL BE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED due to the closure.
Please know that you and your student are in our hearts and we are constantly thinking about how we can support you. Thank you for sharing your student with us and please let us know if there is anything we can do to help you through these difficult times. We hope to see you tonight at 8:20pm (20:20 Military Time) to honor our Seniors with the #BeTheLight event.
Ryan Mulvey
West Valley High School Principal